Making the Case for a Lutheran Worldview – Dr. Joel Biermann, 5/28/25 (1481)

May 28, 2025

Dr. Joel Biermann, a Professor of Systematic Theology at Concordia Seminary, brings his expertise on the Lutheran worldview to the conversation. He discusses the clash between expressive individualism and a Christian identity rooted in dependence on God. The significance of the Augsburg Confession and its relevance today are explored, alongside insights on faith, evidence, and the church's evolving role. He emphasizes witnessing through love in a nihilistic culture and highlights the dualities in Lutheran theology that inform believers' roles in community and faith.

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INSIGHT

Critique of Expressive Individualism

Expressive individualism wrongly assumes we are fully self-created and autonomous.
Christians see humans as dependent creatures created in God's image, obligated rather than self-determining.

INSIGHT

Worldview Limits as Intellectual Exercise

Worldviews overly emphasize intellectual belief while ignoring lived experience.
Our thinking is shaped by how we live daily, not just cognitive choice.

INSIGHT

God Chooses, We Receive

Christianity is not a worldview to be chosen by individuals.
God chooses us first; salvation is divine monergism, not human choice.

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A Case for Character Toward a Lutheran Virtue Ethics

Joel Biermann

The freedom of a Christian

Martin Luther

In 'On the Freedom of a Christian,' Martin Luther discusses the nature of Christian liberty, emphasizing that Christians are free from the law in terms of salvation but are still bound to serve God and their neighbors willingly. Luther argues that justification by faith alone is central to this freedom, and he distinguishes between the inner, spiritual person who is righteous and free, and the outer, physical person who is subject to external circumstances. The treatise also develops key Reformation doctrines such as the priesthood of all believers and union with Christ[1][2][4].

Ethics

R. H. M. Elwes

Baruch Spinoza

Written between 1661 and 1675 and published posthumously in 1677, *Ethics* is a comprehensive philosophical work divided into five parts. It addresses the nature of God, concluding that God is intrinsic to the universe rather than outside it. The treatise dissects the human mind and body, explores the notion of free will and good and evil, and analyzes the origin and strength of emotions. Spinoza argues that reason is the sole means to achieve virtue and freedom from emotional bondage. The work is characterized by its use of Euclid's step-by-step logical method to prove various propositions[3][5].

Mere Christianity

C.S. Lewis

In 'Mere Christianity', C.S. Lewis argues for the existence of God and defends Christian theology. The book is divided into four parts: the first argues for the existence of God based on the 'law of human nature'; the second defends Christian theology, including the 'Liar, lunatic, or Lord' trilemma regarding Jesus Christ; the third explores Christian ethics, including the cardinal and theological virtues; and the fourth discusses the Christian conception of God, particularly the Holy Trinity. Lewis also addresses topics such as free will, morality, sexual ethics, and the institution of marriage. The book is known for its clear and logical presentation of Christian apologetics and has been praised for its straightforward and humorous writing style[1][2][4].